Bedpan
a receptacle for urine and feces for clients who are restricted to bed
Bowel incontinence
loss of voluntary ability to control fecal and gaseous discharges through the anal sphincter
Carminative
an agent that promotes the passage of flatus from the colon
Cathartics
drugs that induce defecation
Chyme
digested products that leave the stomach through the small intestine and then pass through the ileocecal valve
Colostomy
an opening into the colon (large bowel)
Commode
a portable, chairlike structure used as a toilet
Constipation
passage of small, dry, hard stool or passage of no stool for an abnormally long time
Defecation
expulsion of feces from the rectum and anus
Diarrhea
defecation of liquid feces and increased frequency of defecation
Enema
a solution introduced into the rectum and sigmoid colon to remove feces and/or flatus
Fecal impaction
a mass or collection of hardened, puttylike feces in the folds of the rectum
Fecal incontinence
see Bowel incontinence
Feces (stool)
body wastes and undigested food eliminated from the bowel
Flatulence
the presence of excessive amounts of gas in the stomach or intestines
Flatus
gas or air normally present in the stomach or intestines
Gastrocolic reflex
increased peristalsis of the colon after food has entered the stomach
Haustra
pouches that form in the large intestine when the longitudinal muscles are shorter than the colon
Haustral churning (shuffling)
movement of the chyme back and forth within the haustra in the large intestine
Hemorrhoids
distended veins in the rectum
Ileostomy
an opening into the ileum (small bowel)
Ingestion
the act of taking in food or medication
Laxatives
medications that stimulate bowel activity and assist fecal elimination
Mass peristalsis
involves a wave of powerful muscular contraction that moves over large areas of the colon; usually occurs after eating
Meconium
the first fecal material passed by the newborn, normally up to 24 hours after birth
Ostomy
a suffix denoting the formation of an opening or outlet such as an opening on the abdominal wall for the elimination of feces or urine
Peristalsis
wavelike movements produced by circular and longitudinal muscle fibers of the intestinal walls; it propels the intestinal contents onward
Stoma
an artificial opening in the abdominal wall; it may be permanent or temporary
Stool
see Feces
Suppositories
solid, cone-shaped, medicated substances inserted into the rectum, vagina, or urethra